Key points
Mental health conditions are common – affecting over 60 million adults in the U.S. each year – and can impact how a person thinks, feels, and acts.
Noticing sudden or multiple changes in behavior, mood, or daily functioning may be a sign that your loved one needs professional support.
With treatment, understanding, and support, recovery from mental health conditions is possible, and families can return to stability.
It can be worrying to notice changes in the thoughts, emotions, or behaviors of someone you care about. But did you know that mental health conditions are pretty common?
It’s estimated that over 60 million adults (23.4%) in the U.S. experienced a mental health condition in 2024, and 14.6 million adults (5.6%) in the U.S. had a serious mental health condition that limited their ability to function. Most families are caught off guard when a loved one begins to struggle, but it is important to remember that there is hope and help.
What are mental health conditions?
Mental health conditions affect thinking, emotions, and behaviors. There are more than 200 clinically defined mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Mental health conditions are caused by a combination of environmental and biological factors. With treatment and support, most people with mental health conditions recover and live full lives.
Warning signs and symptoms
It’s normal for people to have ups and downs, but pay special attention if you notice sudden changes in how your loved one thinks, feels, or acts. It’s often not just one sign but a pattern of several new or different behaviors that may signal something more serious.
Below are some signs that your loved one may be experiencing a mental health condition:
- Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or worthless
- Sensitivity to sounds, vision, smell, or touch
- Changes in eating, such as loss of appetite or overeating
- Feeling overly worried
- Not being able to complete school or work tasks
- Irritability and restlessness
- Problems with concentration, memory, or the ability to think clearly
- Changes in energy levels and sleep patterns, for example, sleeping during the day and being awake at night
- Loss of interest in activities that are normally enjoyable
- Withdrawal from others or disconnection
- Substance use
- Unexplained physical ailments
- Hearing or seeing things that other people cannot hear
- Unexplained changes in thinking, speech, or writing
- Being overly suspicious or fearful
- Sudden personality changes that seem out of character
- Thoughts or plans of harming themselves or someone else
Learn about recognizing signs of mental health problems in children and teens.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, seek help immediately. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center.
Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether someone is experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Free, confidential, anonymous screens are available at MHAScreening.org.
How to talk with your loved one if you're concerned
If you are concerned about a loved one’s mental health, it is important to talk to them about it. Starting the conversation can open the door to understanding what may be going on and how you can give support. It’s not always easy to bring up mental health concerns with someone you care about, but the tips below can help you navigate the discussion.
Choose a quiet, calm moment and start gently. You can try saying something like, “I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed like yourself lately. How are you really doing?”
Give them space to share. Once you’ve started the conversation, listen more than you talk, and try to show that you understand where they’re coming from. Saying simple things like “That sounds really tough” or “I’m glad you told me” can help them feel supported.
You don’t need to have all the answers. Showing up and listening with compassion means a lot. You can offer to help your loved one look into what might be going on by doing some online research with them, or suggesting they take a screen at MHAscreening.org.
If your loved one talks about wanting to die or you think they may be in danger, call or text 988 for 24/7 crisis support.
How to cope
Be patient with yourself
You may find yourself in denial about what is happening, worrying about your loved one, concerned about what caused your loved one to start struggling, or wondering how you can best support them. These feelings are common among families going through similar situations. Find opportunities to educate yourself about your loved one’s condition, and remember to be patient with yourself.
Be patient with your loved one
The signs of a mental health condition often show up in a person’s behavior. Your family member might become very quiet or withdrawn, or they may cry easily, feel anxious, or have moments of anger or frustration. These reactions can be confusing and hard for you and your loved one.
Remember that recovery is rarely straightforward, and that navigating ups and downs is a normal part of the process. Ask questions, listen with an open mind and open heart, and be there to support them as they work toward recovery.
Establish a support network
Establishing a strong support network is an important way to take care of yourself. Support can come from many places, including trusted friends and family members and self-help or support groups. Dedicated groups provide an opportunity for you to talk to other people who are experiencing the same type of challenges. They can listen and offer valuable advice.
Take time for yourself
When someone is struggling with their mental health, they often become the focus of family life. When this happens, other members of the family may find it difficult to pursue their own interests and feel ignored or resentful over time.
If you are the caregiver, it is important to take time for yourself to prevent becoming frustrated or angry. Time for yourself can help you keep things in perspective and have more patience and compassion for helping your loved one. Being physically and emotionally healthy helps you to help others.
Seek professional help
A mental health professional can suggest ways to cope and better understand your loved one’s mental health condition.
When looking for a therapist, be patient and talk to a few professionals so you can choose the person who is right for you. It may take time until you are comfortable, but in the long run, you will be glad you got help.
Learn more in MHA’s Getting Started Guide for New Caregivers.
Additional resources
- Learn more about symptoms that are specific to a particular mental health condition.
- Get more tips for starting a conversation about someone’s mental health
- Get ideas for what to say when someone tells you they’re fine, but they’re not
- Learn about how to find help for yourself or someone else
- Learn about whether hospitalization is necessary for a mental health condition
- Get step-by-step guidance for starting conversations, handling legal hurdles, and more in this guide for new caregivers